Electric game



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 D. M. BAKER ELECTRIC GAME F l E- I5 000000 000 can I alDec. 20, 1949 Filed May 12, 1948 RNZY INVENTOR. Rand/l 5w BY 0 Mo 0 Ho 0Bo AEi-w 0 mo 090 0 80 o 70 FIE-141.4,

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Fina/A W ATTORNEY Patented Dec, 20, 1949 ELECTRIC GAME David M. Baker,Revere, Mass, assignor to Freem Amusements, Inc., Boston, Mass, acorporation of Massachusetts Application May 12, 1948, Serial No. 26,579

The present invention relates to a game or amusement device in which afew or a considerable number of individuals might participate. The gameinvolves a certain amount of skill, but where a number of players areinvolved, the skill is not wholly dominant in the playing of the game.In brief, the game employs a rotating selector switch driven by a motorfor operating a group of indicators successively and one or more ofcorresponding switches for both starting and stopping the selector armand indicating the winner of the game. The novelty in the presentinvention resides in the arrangement and groups of the elements of thesystem forming the amusement game device and in the operation of thesame. The game provides excitement though its uncertainty and suspenseand yet a very definite skill may be acquired in the playing of thegame.

Without further describing the merits and advantages of the presentinvention, the invention will now be described in the specificationbelow when taken in connection with the drawings illustrating anembodiment thereof in which:

Figure 1 shows somewhat schematically the system and elements comprisingthe game or amusement device.

Figure 2 shows a schematic Wiring diagram of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a modification of a portion of the system shown in Figure2, and,

Figure 4 shows a further modification.

In the arrangement shown in the drawings, 29 indicates a switchboard inwhich stations l to [5 are shown. Each one of these stations may beoccupied by a player, or if it is desired, the game may be played withmore or less stations, dependent only upon how extensive or how manypeople it is desired to have play the game. The switchboard of 2!]provides for each station with a start and stop button, although if thestart ing is done by an elected player only one start button is needed,as will be seen in Figure 3. The start and stop buttons are indicated byET, 6P, 2T, 2P, etc, respectively. There is also provided an indicatorboard, 2i, with indicator stations l to IE inclusive, the numberscorresponding to the same operating stations I to it inclusive so thatthe player at No. l operates the indicator at No. l. The indicator at land at each of the rest of the numbers may consist of a light toilluminate the face of the station and, in addition thereto, lights IW,HR, IW which may successively be illuminated while the face of theindicator I remains illuminated. The lights IW,

IR, and PW may be white, red and white lights 8 Claims. (01. 177-384)respectively and may be illuminated successively with a simultaneousillumination of the indicator 1' before indicator No. 2' becomesilluminated. A suitable figure such as a racing dog or a horse may bepainted on the face of the indicators to simulate a race with thelighting progressively advancing around the indicators from I to Hi.This progressive lighting of the indicators may continue for one or morerevolutions, depending on how long the game is played.

The element 22 indicates a turntable in which there is a driving motorand on which is an electrical selector arm, 23, which selectively andprogressively makes contacts with the contacting points 24, one afterthe other. A suitable control switch, 25, controls the operation of thesystem so that the system will not function until the person in controlpermits the start of the play.

The schematic wiring diagram of Figure 2 corresponds to the layout shownin Figure 1. In this case the switchboard, 2! has its group of startingswitches lT, 2T, 3T, etc., which are connected in parallel across thelines 25 and 21. The stop buttons IP, 2P, 3P, etc. form a series circuitin the lines 28 and 29. The start buttons are normally in open positionand the stop buttons are normally in a closed circuit position. Thesebuttons control the operation of the relay 36, which may be positionedin the control box 25 which may also include a control switch 3| forcontrolling the operation of the whole system.

The indicator lights I, 2', 3', etc., on one side are connected by theline 32 to one side of the secondary of the transformer 33, while theother side of the secondary of the transformer has a lead 34, whichconnects to a slip rin 35, to which the selector arm 23, is at all timesconnected. The other side of the indicators, i, 2, 3' etc. each haveconductors lo, 20, 30, etc. which connect to the lights IW, lR, IW, 2W,2R, ZW, in groups of three each respectively. Each of these lights iW,IR, lW, 2W, 2R, ZW, etc. have separate leads, 36, connected withindividual contacts 31 on their turntable on which the arm 23 bears asit rotates about the turntable. It will be seen from this descriptionthat as far as energizing the indicators is concerned, the circuit iscompleted without regard to the operation of the start and stopmechanism. To follow through the indicators circuit, for example, itwill be noted that the connections are traced as follows; from thesecondary transformer 33, over the line 32 to any one of the indicatorsl', 2, 3', etc; from these indicators over the lines lo, 20, 30, etc. toany one of the groups of three lights, IIW, IR,

EW etc., to a particular contact 31 on the turntable through theconnecting leads 3%, and through the switch arm 23, which lies on one ofthe contacts, to the slip ring 35 and the return lead 34. The primary ofthe transformer 33, which may be a one-to-two ratio, connects across themain supply 33 through a two-pole, single throw switch 39. When theswitch 39 is closed the indicator system will light up and the lightshown is the one corresponding to the contact 1.

connection where the arm 23 happens to bear.

The relay 3c is provided with a holding contact so that the startbuttons need only be mo mentarily closed. When any one of the startbuttons is closed connection is made from the line 27 to the line 26,and the coil 40 is energized through the switch 3!, the line 4!, thecoil 40, the time delay switch 42, the line 21, the particular startbutton momentarily closed, the line 25 and the line 43 returning to themain supply. w

The momentary energization of the coil 4!! draws downthe switchcontactor 44 against the action of the spring 45, bridging the contactsit-and 4'! and thereby completing a holding circuit which may be tracedas follows:

Fromthe lead 4! through the coil 40, the line 48, the time delay switch39, the lead 28, through the normally closed stop buttons, the line 25,the connector relay arm 44, and the return lead to the power supply 43.down of the arm Mcompletes thecircuit to the driving motor 5% of theturn table therefore as soon as the start button is pressed, the motorbegins to rotate turning arm 23 and causing the,

light indication to move successively from one number indicator to thenext number indicator around in cyclic rotation. The motor circuit iscompleted through the line 3, contact 46, contact bar 44, contact 4?,motor lead 5!, motor 59 and return motor lead 52.

From the above description it will be noted that when the motor isrotating and the selector arm traveling over the contacts the operationof any one of the stop switches will release the relay arm 44 bytie-energizing the coil 40, permitting the spring ie-t retract thearmature 44;

The arrangement in Figure 3 operates similar to that shown in Figure 2with the additional feature that when once the stop switches IP, 2P, 3?,etc. are operated, the control switch 39' is automatically opened toshut down the system and it wfll not thereafter again run until theindividual controlling the game, the Game starter, permits the game tobe played.

This is accomplished by having the armature 44f operate by means of aprojecting arm 69, a pivoted lever 6!. As the armature 44 is drawndownward, when the motor is initially operated, the lever 61 is flippedupward at the opposite end from where the armature 415' is and nothinghappens. When, however, the armature 44 is released, as when the stopbuttons are operated deenergizing the solenoid 40 the left end of thelever 6!, as seen in Fi ure 3, operates to bring together the contacts62 and 63, the circuit through the relay coil 55, which pulls down thearm 66 of the switch 3! and opens the circuit to the solenoid coil 40.

In the closed position of the switch 3| circuit through the coilfollows:

From one side of the line through the switch 34 over the line 51,

the 55 may be traced as The initial drawing and completes through thecoil 55, the line 54, the line 64, the contact switch 63- 62,; when thisis closed, and the return through the line 43. The lever arm 6! may bemaintained in a horizontal position tensioned by a spring, 69. The armwill only energize the coil after the coil 40 is de-energized so thatwhen once the stop button is pressed the motor cannot again be starteduntil the game starter closes the switch 3|. This prevents anyonestarting the motor after a stop button i'sspressed. The game then willremain dead, since even if the start buttons are closed, no current willpass through the relay 40 until the switch 3| has firstv been closed.When the switch 3| has been closed, the game can, of course, becommenced by pressingany one'of the start buttons, IT, 2T, 3T, etc. Ifdesired, a single pole, double throw switch 65 may be provided in theline 2'! so that instead .of: operating the start of the game from anyof the start positions, the game may be started from a portable switchbutton 66, which is at the end of a double wire cord and may be movedtoany one. of' the stations. in the game. In'order to operate'from the.button fitit would simply benecessary to throw the switch '65 to thecontact Slinstea'd of tothecontact 68. If the'players, therefore, desireone of their own group tostart' the game, or some other selectedindividual, this can readily be done.

The winner of the game is the onewho succeeds in making the. light stayon at his station;

This'comprises making theplate I, or anystation, light'up and one of thecorresponding. lights IW, IE, or IW. There may be a bigger prize:

for themiddle light IR which may be of different color than the endlights.

A further modification of the. invention, is shown in Figure 4; In thismodification, separate light indicators are provided, 10 to: indicatewhen-the playersare to start the game, TI, when the players may stop thegame, and 72; indicatingthe winner of the game. In thisv arrangement thegame is controlled by an on-offswitch 13, which the operatormay turn onat any time and leave it on during the period while he-is.

present. A: second switch 14 may be used to start the game but thisswitch must be turned.

on at the beginning of each game and off at the end'of the game: shuntinthis on-on switch is a momentary start switch 15' which the'operator canusein place of the switch 14 and'whlch is pressed momentarily for thestart of each game.

In this arrangement there is provided a relay '6 which operates inconjunction with a time delay switch element '31 and a second relay (8;

which operates in conjunction with a second time delay switch element79; These various elements will be explained in conjunction with theoperation of the system.

When the switch 15 is momentarily pressed by the operator, the relaycoil 89 of the relay T6 is energized and this closes the circuit throughthe pivoted arms 8|, 82, and 83 which are all spring tensioned throughthe non-conducting connect-- ing rod 84 and thespring 85. The closing oftheswitch 15 energizes the circuits in the.fol-- lowing manner; the coilis energized from the supply source 85 over the line 81, the line 88,the normally closed switch 96 of the delay switch element, thebi-metallic delay element.

9i, the connecting line92, the coil $30 and the line 93' to the otherside of'the supply source;

This momentary energization of the coil 80 closes. through theline 94,the pole-, the" line 96; the switch. 96 94, the line. 92, the coil 80;

the holding circuit 8!, the contact 95, thermostat elements and the line93 to the other side of the line, so that even though the switch I5 isreleased, the coil 80 will still hold the switch poles B2, 83 in thedownward position. If no other switch is pressed within the limit set bythe time delay element, the opening of the contacts 90 will restore thecircuit to its original operative position. While however the coil 80 isenergized the start light will light up. This circuit may be traced asfollows; from the supply source 86 over the common line 91, to the startlight I0, over the line 98 to the contact 99 through the switch pole 83to the line 94. The players therefore have an indication that the gameis to be started. Any one of the starting switch buttons It, 2t, etc.,may therefore be pressed. By pressing the start switch the relay I8 isenergized as well as the time delay element and switch I9 and also theturn table motor 5E. The circuit is completed through the relay coil I00of the relay I8 in the following manner; through the common line 91',the relay coil I00, the line IOI, the contact I02, the arm 82, the lineI03, any one of the start switches It, 2t, etc., the line I04 and theline 94 to the other side of the supply source. This energization of thecoil I00 draws downward the switch arms I05, I06 and I0I of the relay I8which is tensioned by means of the spring I09 and the connecting rod IIOwhich is insulated from the poles and also completes a holding circuitfor the relay I00 since th start switches are only momentarily closedand since the coil 80 will also be deenergized when the contact 90 ofthe time delay element opens. The holding circuit of the coil I00 isclosed in the following manner; through the common line 91, the coilI00, the line III, all the stop switches Ip, 2p, etc., the line IIZ, thebi-metallic thermostat element I I4, the normally closed switch contactII3 of the time delay element, the line H5, the contact H6, the switcharm I05 and the line 94. It will be seen that even with the start switchopen and the relay I6 released, the circuit will still hold. It shouldalso be noted that this operation energizes the turn table motor 59 inthe following manner; over the common line 91, the turn table motor 50,the line N1, the contact II6, the arm I05 and the line 94. If nothingelse is done to this circuit, it will normally deenergize when thecontact II3 of the time delay element is open. However in its closedposition, the stop light II will come on as soon as the relay 80 hasbeen de-ener ized. This circuit is traced through in the followinmanner; over the common line 91, the stop switch II, the line IIB, theswitch element I06, the contact II9, the line I20, the contact I 2I andsince now the switch arm 83 is in the upper position over the switch arm83 and the line 94 to the supply source. When therefore the coil 80 hasbeen deenergized, the stop light will go on and the players will thenknow that any time thereafter the stop switch may be pressed. When thestop switch is pressed, the coil I00 will be de-energized since thiscircuit is open and the relay I8 will be released thus breaking theholding circuit for the turn table motor and stopping the operation ofthe turn table arm 23. In this position the winner light I2 will lightup indicating that the game is over and the winner will of course beindicated by the light on the board to which the turn table arm isconnected in its stop position. The winner light circuit may be tracedas follows; over the common line 91, the 1 winner light I2, the lineI22, the armifljh which is now in the upper position, the contact I23,the line I24, the contact I25, the arm 8|, which is also in the upperposition, and the line 94 to the supply source. The winning light willthen remain on until the new game is started by pressing of the switchI5. When this occurs, the relay coil will again be energized indicatingthat the game may be started through the illumination of the start lightI0.

The purpose of the arrangement in Figure 4, is first to enable theoperator to control the beginning of the play and to make it impossiblefor either the start or stop switches to activate any part of th system.Secondly the arrangement in Figure 4 provides a definite sequence and atime element between each sequence of operation. After the operatorstart switch has been pressed, the player start switch can be pressed atany time but the stop switch will not be operated until the stop lighthas first come on which occurs when the I6 has been due-energized. If noone presses the stop switch within the time limit permitted, then therelay I8 will become de-energized and the operator must again press theswitch I5 before the game can be played. If the start switch has notbeen pressed within the certain time interval, then the gam will also bestopped and must be played again. If the stop switch is not pressed thetime delay element I9 will operate after a time interval and release therelay I8 in which case the game must also be played again or a winnerwill be indicated without the operation of any of the stop switchessince the stop circuit is opened by the opening of the switch I I3.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A game to be played by two or more players comprisin a plurality ofelectrically illuminated indicators each distinctively marked for aplayer, means adapted to be operated for supplying electrical energy forillumination of said indicators momentarily successively in somesequence, an electric motor for operating said means, relay means forclosing the circuit to said motor, means for operating said relay means,said relay means including circuit means for maintaining said relaymeans operative independent of the means for operating the relay, stopswitch means including a switch provided for each player in series insaid maintaining circuit of the relay means which keeps said electricmotor rotating whereby when said stop switch means is operated, thesuccessive progress of momentary illumination of said indicator willstop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminatedindicating the winner of the game.

2. A game to be played by two or more players comprising a plurality ofelectrically illuminated indicators each distinctively marked for aplayer, means adapted to be operated for supplying electrical energy forillumination of said indicators momentarily successively in somesequence, an electric motor for operating said means, relay means forclosing the circuit to said motor, means for operating said relay means,said relay means including circuit means for maintaining said relaymeans operative independent of the means for operating the relay, aplurality of stop switches, one for each player, appropriatelyidentified therefor corresponding to a player, all connested in seriesin said maintaining circuit of the relay means which keeps .saidelectric motor rotating whereby whenjany one of said stop switches isoperated, th;e successive progress of momentary illumination of saidindicators will stop with the last illuminated indicator remainingilluminated, indicating the winner of the game.

3. A game to be played by two or more players comprising a plurality ofelectrically illuminated indicators each distinctively marked for aplayer, means adapted to be operated for supplying electrical energyforillumination of said indicators momentarily successively in somesequence, an electric motor for operating said means, relay means forclosing the circuit to said motor, means for operating said relay meansincluding a plurality of switches operated by the players and connectedtogether in shunt with said .relay means, said relay means includingcircuit means for maintaining said relay means operative independent ofthe means for operating the relay, a plurality of stop switches, one foreach player, appropriately identified therefor corresponding to aplayer, all connected in series in said maintaining circuit of the relaymeans which keeps said lectric motor rotating whereby when any one ofsaid stop switches is operated, the successive progress of momentaryillumination of said indicators will stop with the last illuminatedindicator remaining illuminated, indicating the winner of the game.

l. A game to be played by two or more players, comprising a plurality ofelectrically illuminated indicators, each distinctively marked for aplayer, a rotatable selector switch for completing an electric circuitto said indicators successively in some sequence momentarily illuminatinthe same, an electric motor for turning said selector switch, relaymeans for closing the circuit to said motor, a start switch button foroperating said relay means for completing the electrical circuit foroperating said motor, said relay means including circuit means formaintaining" said relay means operative independent of the means foroperating the relay, a plurality of stop switches, one for each player,appropriately identified therefor corresponding to a player, all saidstop switches being connected in series in said maintaining circuit ofthe relay means which keeps said electric motor rotating whereby whenany one of said stop switches is operated, the successive progress ofmomentary illumination of said indicators will stop with the lastilluminated indicator remaining illuminated indicating the winner of thegame.

5. A game to be played by two or more players, comprising a plurality ofelectrically illuminated indicators, each distinctively marked for aplayer, a rotatable selector switch for completing an electric circuitto said indicators successively in some sequence momentarilyilluminating the same, an electric motor for turning said selectorswitch, relay means for closing the circuit to said motor, a pluralityof player stations having appropriate markings identifying each stationwith its corresponding indicator, each station having start switches andstop switches, the start switches having means completing the circuitfor operating said relay means;v said relay means in-" cluding circuitmeans for maintaining said relay operative independent of the means foroperating the relay with said stop switches in series in saidmaintaining circuit of the relay means which keeps said electric motorrotatin whereby when any of said stop switches is operated, thesuccessive progress of momentary illumination of said 1 indicators:will: stop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminated,indicating the winnerzofthe game. J I

8 6. A game to be played by two or more players comprising a pluralityof electrically illuminated indicators, each distinctively marked for aplayer, a rotatable selector switch for completing an electric circuitto said indicators successively in some sequence momentarilyilluminating the -same, an electric motor for turning said selectorswitch, relay means for closing the circuit to said motor, a startswitch button for operating said relay means for completing theelectrical circuit for operating said motor, said relay means includingcircuit means for maintaining said relay means operative independent ofthe means for operating the relay, a plurality of stop switches, one foreach player, appropriately identified therefor corresponding to aplayer, all said stop switches being connected in series in saidmaintaining circuit" of the relay means which keeps said electric motorrotating a second relay means having a switch manually closed connectedin series in said maintainlng circuit and switch means operative by therelease of said first relay when said maintaining circuit is deenergizedfor momentarily energizing said second relay to open said last manuallyclosed switch, whereby when any one of said stop switches is operated,the successive progress of momentary illumination of said indicatorswill stop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminated,indicating the winner of the game, and whereby the game may not be operfated until the closing of said manually operated switch has beeneffected.

7. A game to be played by two or more players comprising a plurality ofelectrically illuminated indicators, each distinctively marked for aplayer, a rotatable selector switch for completing an electric circuitto said indicators successively in some sequence, momentarilyilluminating the same, an electric motor for turning said selectorswitch,

an operators switch controllable for supplying electric power foroperating the game, a plurality of player stations, each havingappropriate markings identifying each station with its correspondingindicator and each having a stop. switch, a player start switch, a startindicator, a first relay means operable by the operators start switchfor illuminating said start indicator, a second relay means, operable bythe players start switch, including means for completing the electricalcircuit for operating said electric motor, said second relay meansincluding circuit means for maintaining said second relay meansoperative independent of the means for operating said second relay, aplurality of stop switches, one for each of the players appropriatelyidentified therefor corresponding to a player, all said stop switchesbeing connected in series in said maintaining circuit of said secondrelay which keeps said electric motor rotating, means operative upon therelease of said first relay while said second relay is operative forproducing an indication to the player when said stop switches are to beoperated, whereby when anyone of said stop switches is operated, thesuccessive progress oi" momentary 8. A game to be played by two or moreplayers, comprising a plurality of electrically illuminatedv indicators,each distinctively marked for a player. a rotatable selector same, anelectric motor for turning said selector switch, an operators switchcontrollable for supswitch for completing an electric circuit tosaidindicators successively in, some sequence, momentariiy illuminatingthe 7 plying electric power for operating the game, a plurality ofplayer stations, each having appropriate markings identifying eachstation with its corresponding indicator and each having a stop switch,a player start switch, a start indicator, a first relay means operableby the operators start switch for illuminating said start indicator, asecond relay means, operable by the players start switch, includingmeans for completing the electrical circuit for operating said electricmotor, said second relay means including circuit means for maintainingsaid second relay means operative independent of the means for operatingsaid second relay, a plurality of stop switches, one for each of theplayers appropriately identified therefor corresponding to a player, allsaid stop switches being connected in series in said maintaining circuitof said second relay which keeps said electric motor rotating, meansoperative upon the release of said first relay while said second relayis operative for producing an indication to the player when said stopswitches are REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,153,737 Van Der Hoorn Sept. 14,1915 1,887,694 Huizinga Nov. 15,1932 2,085,884 Wilkinson July 6,193?2,333,002 Goloborodko Oct. 26, 1943 2,457,968 Allen et a1. Jan. 4, 1949

